Hello, all. Today's #WriterWednesday interview is with Author LaKesa Cox. Scroll down to learn all about her, and make sure to check out her books!!
AT: Where do you live? What’s your town’s claim to fame?
LC: Henrico, VA (Suburb of Richmond, VA). We claim Trey Songz, Chris Brown (even though they are from Petersburg and Tappahanock, VA respectively). Also, New York Times Bestselling Author Nikki Turner is from Richmond.
AT: Sounds like a place burgeoning with talent! What genre do you write?
LC: Various genres. I’ve done erotic fiction, contemporary/urban fiction, street fiction and most recently, young/adult historical fiction.
AT: Are you a published author or aspiring to be published? If published, how many books are out there with your name on them?
LC: I am published. (4) full length novels and (3) anthologies.
AT: What inspires you to write?
LC: People and life experiences.
AT: Same here! Name one book you wish you’d written.
LC: I have so many stories of my own that I need to write, I don’t think there is a book I wish I’d written.
AT: What was the last book you read? Did you enjoy it?
LC: Blue by Danielle Steele. Yes I did. Danielle Steele was one of the first authors I read in high school so I’ve been a fan of her work for many years.
AT: I'll have to check that one out. Who is your favorite author? Why?
LC: Eric Jerome Dickey. His storytelling is amazing, his characters are relatable and I aspire to be as great as him one of these days.
AT: Great choice! Now for the fun questions! You’re a new addition to the crayon box. What color would you be and why?
LC: Purple, only because purple is my favorite color. It’s such a beautiful and regal color, you can never go wrong with purple, no matter what shade.
AT: Do you believe in love at first sight?
LC: No, but I don’t mind writing about characters who do.
AT: If a genie granted you three wishes, what would they be? (can't ask for more wishes).
LC: 1) To have my grandmother here again 2) Life of great health 3) Make me a millionaire!
AT: Are you spring, summer, fall, or winter? Please share why.
LC: Summer. I absolutely love the sun, the heat, the feeling of wearing flip flops and seeing everything in full bloom and colorful. I especially love the long days. I appreciate spring because it introduces us to summer but allergies in the springtime are the worst. I aspire to retire to Florida or the Caribbean.
AT: Tea or coffee?
LC: Tea and only on ice and very sweet.
AT: Sounds like my kind of tea! Tell us about your most recent/current project. LC: My most recent project is my young adult/teen novel titled Mulatto Girl Aggie, 13: Name on the Ledger. It’s about a present day African-American teen that is transported to the year 1816 as a slave. I like to say it’s 12 Years a Slave meets The Wizard of Oz.
Available at amazon.com
This story takes you into the life of a precocious, spoiled and bratty 12-year-old named Aggie Lucas. Aggie is your typical 7th grader who loves her cell phone, social media and designer sneakers. Eager to celebrate her 13th birthday, Aggie is disappointed when her parents break their promise to her by not giving her the gift she really wanted. Mad at the world, Aggie goes to school and is sent to detention hall for disrespecting her teacher. Aggie accidentally falls and bumps her head, then wakes up in a dream where she is transported back to the year 1816 as a slave on a plantation in Goochland, Virginia. As a slave, Aggie is forced to adapt but not before learning some valuable and very harsh lessons in life.
Short excerpt:
“Aggie. Aggie. Aggie wake up.” Mom is whispering in my ear but shaking me as if my life is dependent on it. I blink the sleep from eyes, allowing them to focus. Mom’s face is so close to mine, our noses are touching. “What’s wrong Mom?” I ask, pulling away from her but when I pull away my hands sweep across dirt. Why am I asleep on the ground? And what happened to Mom’s hair? She was wearing a roller set yesterday, but now her hair is packed tightly to her head with a bandana like scarf covering most of it. As a matter of fact, what happened to my mom? She’s dressed like a homeless person, those who sleep under the James River bridge tunnel at night and beg for change on Belvidere Street during the day. “Aggie, we gotta go back now or Massuh is gonna whip us both. Why is you out here by yo’self chile? You wasn’t trying to run away was you?” “Mom, why are you talking like that? And what happened to your clothes? And where are we?” Scanning my immediate surroundings, from where I’m sitting, there is a lot of tall grass and dirt surrounding me in a field as big as a baseball field. Trees line the edge of the field and in the distance I see a big house. A cluster of trees separate one side of the big house from several small, log cabin style houses, which remind me of the green Monopoly game pieces. On the opposite side of the big house there is a huge red barn. “Why you out here? You know better. Now come on before someone sees.” Mom helps me up from the ground then I notice my clothes and the fact I’m not wearing any shoes. “What happened to my clothes? And where are my shoes? Mom, where are we?” I thought Mom’s outfit was hideous but the tethered piece of cloth which was supposed to be a dress on me was worse. “Shoes? Stop your foolishness now. We gotta go.” I wipe my hand on the front of my dress. The dirt blended in with the rest of the filth I was wearing. Mom is pulling at me, ducking through the tall grass so we can go undetected. Then it hit me. I was in a dream. All those History questions about the PreCivil War Era were doing a dance inside my unconscious mind. I guess I may as well go along with Mom so I start ducking and dodging too. The tall grass is slapping me against my face and arms and my feet felt gross. I never liked walking barefoot.
AT: Sounds good! How can readers connect with you?
LC: https://www.amazon.com/LaKesa-Cox/e/B00MZEEM30/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
www.blackrosewriting.com
www.lakesacox.com
www.facebook/lakesacox
Instagram - @IamLakesa
Twitter - @IamLakesa
AT: Any final words?
LC: Thanks for the opportunity to chat. I hope some of your blog readers will take the time to check out some of my work.
Great interview
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